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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/06/1995 - Regular Minutes - Historic Preservation Committee HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 -- 5:15 P.M. CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM 1000 KRENEK TAP ROAD HISTORIC COMMITTEE Joan Lamkin, Chairman; Bill Lancaster, Co- Chairman; Mary Jane MEMBERS PRESENT: Hirsch; Deborah Jasek; Sharon Menn; Dennis Maloney; Bill Fox, Council Liaison MEMBERS ABSENT: Gary Halter; Steven Smith STAFF PRESENT: David Gerling, Special Facilities Superintendent; Pamela Einkauf, Senior Secretary; Bridgette George, Staff Assistant GUESTS PRESENT: Florace Kling, Former Committee Member; Sondra Weaver, Sharon Menn's Sister I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:20 p.m. by Joan Lamkin. She asked all committee members and staff present to introduce themselves for the benefit of the new members. 2. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE TO OUTGOING MEMBER/WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Joan presented Florace Kling with a plaque and thanked her for her hard work and dedication while serving as a committee member from May, 1991 to May, 1995. Joan explained that Florace would still be a member of the Oral History Committee. Florace thanked everyone and told them that it had been a pleasure and privilege to serve on the Committee. She stated that she wholeheartedly supported the Historic Preservation Committee's (HPC) efforts in establishing and maintaining the identity and integrity of College Station's neighborhoods. Dennis Maloney and Sharon Menn were sworn in as new members, and Bill Lancaster was sworn in for a second term by Bridgette George. 3. DISCUSSION OF NEW MEETING TIME: Joan stated that the Committee had previously been meeting at 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. Several of the members had a problem with the 7:00 p.m. time and had asked if the meeting could be moved up to 5:15 p.m. Deborah made the motion to move the meetings to 5:15 p.m., and Mary Jane seconded. The Committee took a vote and unanimously decided that 5:15 p.m. was a better time to meet. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 5, 1995 and MAY 3, 1995: A motion was made and seconded and the minutes were approved as written. Historic Preservation Committee Page 2 5. REVIEW SUMMER ACTIVITIES: A. 1883 Depot/Class '94 Gift -- David stated that the class of '94 was in the process of getting A &M's approval for the depot as their gift for the second time. The first time the class got approval there was the possibility of using funds from the ISTEA grant. When that option fell through, A &M wanted the class to decide how the depot would be maintained without the ISTEA money. The Class Gift Committee had to take the issue back to the class itself, and then they had to start the approval process over from the beginning. David stated that the Class Gift Committee would have to meet with the A &M Facility Planning Committee for their approval before presenting it to the Board of Regents. The class was hoping to get on the Board of Regents' agenda for May or June of 1996 to get final approval. David informed the Committee that an issue had come up wherein some people in the community wanted the HPC to try and talk the students into putting the depot at Northgate. David said that at present, a letter was being drafted to the Northgate Steering Committee explaining to them the different options available with regards to the $50,000 that the City had committed towards the depot. 1. The City would let the students go through the approval process and if the University approved the depot as the gift, then the City would fund the money. 2. If the University said no to the depot, then the City would give the students the option to build the depot in Northgate and the City would provide the site. 3. The third option would be for the City to pull the money from the students and build the depot solely as a City project. David stated that hopefully the Northgate Steering Committee would give the City some direction as to what's best for Northgate, the depot project, and the community. Dennis asked where the original depot had been located. Bill L. stated that originally there had been two depots and explained the location of the 1883 depot. Exiting from campus at Old Main Road (near Albritton Tower), just to the left of that exit and adjacent to the current railroad tracks was where the depot stood. Sharon asked why the depot couldn't go back where it originally was and David explained that it was located just about in the middle of Welborn Road. David said the students were proposing to put it on the west side of the tracks in a triangular area that is owned by the University and currently undeveloped with no plans for use. Bill L. stated that the depot would lose its significance if it was placed at Northgate. Deborah asked whose idea it was to put the depot at Northgate, and Joan wanted to know what it would be used for. David stated that Hub Kennady had approached him and proposed the idea of putting the depot at Northgate. Bill L. asked who currently had control of the project and David said it was A &M. Joan felt that the Committee needed to go on record as stating that the depot should be located as close to the original as possible, and not in Northgate. Bill L. asked what A &M's participation would be if the depot was put at Northgate. David said that the student leaders were pushing to keep the depot on campus and as near to the original spot as possible. The only way that the students would be willing to put it at Northgate would be if A &M said it wouldn't allow the depot as the class gift. Deborah said she didn't believe A &M would take that stance. Dennis asked what function the depot would serve, and David explained that originally they had hoped Historic Preservation Committee Page 3 for a museum quality interior. However when the ISTEA grant was denied, the students only had enough money to reconstruct the depot similar to what it was in 1883 -- with no plumbing and no air conditioning. Deborah said the idea was that if more money came from somewhere at a future date, then the interior could possibly be upgraded to museum quality. The students would like to see the depot house information about the earlier days of the college -- late 1800's -early 1900's -- when the train station was all there was. Dennis asked if that was also what the Committee would like to see happen. Everyone agreed that it was. Dennis asked what the projected cost for the construction of the depot was, and Deborah said she believed it was right at $100,000. David said there would be no hard design done on the project until after A &M had accepted the gift. Bill L. asked who the HPC was dealing with at A &M and David told him it was David Godbey. Bill L. also wanted to know who would take the project to the Board of Regents. David said it would be Chad King the Class President, David Salman the Class Liaison, and Jim Reynolds. The Committee asked David what could be done to convince Mr. Kennady to give up the idea of putting the depot at Northgate. David said it would best be handled from a city staff standpoint and using the Northgate Steering Committee. Bill F. commented that he believed Hub Kennady's stance was to put the depot at Northgate rather than not have the depot at all. He asked if the University had made a decision as to whether it would allow the depot to be located on the property to the west of Welborn Road. David said it had not been resolved. The Committee discussed putting the depot on that property and how it would be an excellent location because it would serve as a gateway /welcome for visitors -- especially once the George Bush Library was completed just down the street. Bill F. said that the City Council had discussed the idea of having an information kiosk where visitors could pick up literature and information on the city. He said he'd visit with Hub Kennady about the possibility of using the depot for that. B. AMTRAK -- David said that Amtrak was definitely pulling out of College Station as of September 10, 1995. The City decided not to keep the lease on the Amtrak depot site. He received a copy of a letter that Tex Owens had sent to Dr. Scales at CSISD. In the letter Mr. Owens stated that he'd heard that the City Parks & Recreation Department would be taking down the pavilion and removing it from that site, since the city didn't own the land. Mr. Owens was suggesting that the school acquire the 48' mural which had been done by the school students. He told Dr. Scales that if the school didn't want the mural then he wanted to give it to the Historic Preservation Committee. Bill L. asked what the mural was painted on and David told him marine plywood which was bolted to the side of the building. Joan asked if it was storable and David said yes -- it was in 4' x 8' sheets. Joan said if the school didn't want it, the Committee did. Dennis asked who the city was leasing the land from, but no one could remember. Joan asked if the Committee wanted pictures of the last Amtrak train coming to College Station and the Amtrak building before it was torn down. Everyone agreed that pictures should be taken. Someone asked how old the station was, and David said it had been completed on May 25, 1990. C. Southside Signage -- David stated that if everything on the budget was passed as presented to the City Council, then there would be $10,000 available to do some type of signage in the Southside area. David's understanding was that the money would actually be in a Public Services account, but the Committee would be heavily involved in deciding what type of signage to put up, where it would be placed, and in defining the Southside area where the signage would be located. David said those decisions would need to be made by the Committee within the next year. He said most people felt that Southside ran from Historic Preservation Committee Page 4 Welborn Road to Texas Avenue, however when he met with Public Services they decided that with only $10,000, the project would need to be scaled down to only include the original Southside. David suggested using Fairview, Dexter and Park Place as boundaries. Dennis said Lee Street would have to be included. Bill L. told the Committee that College Park was there in the 1920's, Oakwood sprang up in the 1930's, West Park in the 1940's, and everything east of the school was developed in the 1950's, with the oldest part being Dexter to Fairview. Bill L. said he had the original plat. Dennis said that with $10,000 the HPC would not be able to do much. David agreed, but said that once it got started, and people saw what could be done, it might be possible to go after other funding sources in order to carry the theme throughout the entire Southside area. Bill F. suggested teaming up with the Community Appearance Committee, saying that two committees could exercise a greater influence on City Council to allocate additional funds in next year's budget. Deborah commented that the Community Appearance Committee should be putting their banners up shortly. Bill F. said the committee was in the process of picking out locations and working with the Brazos Arts Council to get some sort of design contest going. Joan stated that Community Appearance needed to know that HPC was working on signage for Southside. Deborah stated that she had been assigned as the HPC liaison to the Community Appearance Committee at one time but that no one from that committee had ever gotten in touch with her. The next thing she'd heard was that banners were being ordered. Bill L. asked if the Committee was talking about an entrance into the area. David and Bill F. said an entrance was a possibility. Dennis said unique period lighting with a sign incorporated somehow, would be nice. If those lights were placed on street corners starting at Lee and working down -- even if only a few could be done at first -- it would be a good start until more funds could be obtained. Joan asked David if he had a catalogue that the HPC could look at and he said yes, and that more could be obtained. Bill F. commented that Jo Carroll might be able to help out with Community Block Development Grant money, since the idea fell under the neighborhood beautification category. David said he'd check into it. Joan asked if any of the neighborhoods in that area had Homeowners' Associations. Dennis said his did not, but there had been talk about getting a Dexter Park Neighborhood Association together. D. Oral History - Southside -- Joan said the Southside oral history had just been completed. She explained to the incoming members that two oral history encounters had taken place. One for Northgate and the other for Southside. She stated that most of the interviews for Southside had been transcribed but a few of the interviews still hadn't been returned. She asked if David had seen the video on Southside that Ed Madeley had brought to the oral history meeting. David said he had seen it, and a copy had been made. Joan said it would be good for the HPC to view the video. Joan told the members that the College Hills and Eastside Memory Lanes were coming up on September 27, 1995, and invited everyone to come by that morning at 9:30 a.m. She said note takers were needed if anyone was interested in volunteering. Joan suggested that if anyone knew of someone who could put all the Memory Lane interviews together and write the story, to please let her know. David said he had heard that Mary Jane Bowers liked to write historically and that someone might want to get in touch with her. Bill L. said the HPC needed to be careful about who it chose to write the history. Joan stated that any prospective writers would be interviewed. Dennis suggested Historic Preservation Committee Page 5 contacting the History department at A &M to see if someone working on their master's thesis might be interested. In that way they would be under the direction of someone and it would be written professionally. Mary Jane asked if the work would be done on a volunteer basis. Bill L. stated that it depended on what would be done with the publication. Mary Jane stated that a good writer, Betty Harvel Davis, came to mind. She told the members that Ms. Davis, a retired English teacher living in Brenham, had lived in College Station on Walton Drive for a long time. Bill L. stated that the HPC needed to steer clear of advertising and stick with sources that they knew. Mary Jane said that there could be more than one writer. Joan suggested perhaps a different writer for each Memory Lane. She also stated that some legal work would have to be done so as not to run into any problems. E. DeWare Field House -- David asked if anyone knew what the status of the Field House was. Deborah stated that the Board of Regents had put the demolition for DeWare Field House, and Law and Puryear Halls on hold indefinitely due to the efforts of the Old Main Society. The Regents told the University they couldn't tear the buildings down at the present time and that they needed to restudy it. David said that David Godbey's standpoint was, that historical or not, the condition of DeWare was so bad it needed to come down. David Godbey told David that the building had been built cheaply and that they had held it together about as long as they could. 5. APPOINT A MEMBER TO THE NORTHGATE STEERING COMMITTEE: Joan stated that Greg Keith had been the liaison for the Northgate Steering Committee, and since he had graduated and moved away, the HPC needed to appoint another member. David stated that his understanding was that the Steering Committee met once a month on an as- needed basis. Joan commented that it was a very active group comprised of City staff members, A &M faculty, and Northgate merchants to name a few. Bill L. asked what that committee was working on. David said he wasn't sure. Dennis asked if that was the committee trying to sell the idea of creating an open -air mall on Patricia Street. Bill F. said yes, and he believed they were still seriously considering the idea. He commented that the Northgate merchants had expressed an interest in the open -air mall idea based on the success they'd seen with the College Main project. Deborah told the members that numerous students in the Civil Engineering Department had done class projects on Patricia Street that included traffic counts, traffic surveys, etc., and that the Steering Committee needed to be aware that the work had been done so they could make use of it. Joan asked if anyone on the Committee would like to volunteer to act as liaison for the Northgate Steering Committee. Debbie said she'd do it because she knew quite a bit about Northgate since she'd lived in that area before. David stated that Gary Halter and Steve Smith might be interested in serving. It was suggested by Joan that Debbie act as liaison with Gary or Steve acting as an alternate (if interested) if Debbie couldn't make a meeting. 6. OTHER COMMITTEE CONCERNS: Review Applications for Historic Markers -- An application was turned in by Sharon Menn for the home where she was raised at 200 Grove. Dennis asked Sharon if she was still living in the home and she said she was. David said the HPC needed to take a vote to see if they wanted to accept the house for College Station historic marker #29. Mary Jane made a motion to accept the home for a marker since it met all the criteria established. Bill L. seconded the motion. The Committee voted unanimously to accept the home for a marker. David told Sharon that she and her family would be presented with the plaque by the Mayor, at the next City Council meeting if Historic Preservation Committee Page 6 she could attend. Dennis asked if the plaques still cost $65.00. David said yes. Dennis said that some of the older people he'd talked to just didn't want to pay that price for the plaque. Sharon thanked the members for approving her home for a plaque. David said that the plaque could be attached to the outside of the house with some industrial strength glue which could be purchased at Furrow's. Sharon asked when the next City Council meeting was so that she could receive her historical home plaque. David told her Thursday, September 14, 1995. Sharon said she had a prior commitment. Bill F. said the next meeting would be on September 28, 1995. Sharon stated that would be a good date for the presentation Other Concerns -- Dennis asked if there was a time limit for getting ideas to the City Council regarding what type of period lighting and signage the HPC wanted to use in Southside. David stated that the money wouldn't be available until October 1, 1995, and had to be spent by September 30, 1996. That gave a twelve -month time frame in which the members could come up with ideas, bid out the project, buy it, get it installed, etc. Dennis asked if anyone was shopping yet. David said no, the idea was still in the concept design phase and that the Committee needed to decide what it actually wanted - whether it was banners, street signs, street lights, etc. Dennis suggested that if the Committee had a price list for the different items being considered, it might make it easier to make a decision. David said he would get price lists for everyone to review at the next meeting. Joan asked if a subcommittee needed to be appointed and David said yes. Dennis volunteered, and Joan appointed him as chairman. She suggested that he might want to work with the Community Appearance Committee. Bill L. said that the HPC needed to come up with a concept before Dennis took it to Community Appearance. Dennis commented that with only $10,000 to spend, banners, signs and lights were probably the only affordable options. Deborah stated that she probably had some street sign catalogues she could bring from work. After much discussion, the Committee agreed that the borders for the Southside Signage Project would be: Welborn Road to Luther (the north side only), Luther to Hereford, Hereford to Park Place (both sides of Park Place), Park Place to Lee, Lee to George Bush, and George Bush back to Welborn. 7. DISCUSS COMMITTEE GOALS: Joan asked what the new goals for the HPC should be. Everyone agreed that the 1883 depot reconstruction would be an ongoing goal. Some other ideas discussed were: a. A Photography Subcommittee that could go out and take photos of specific areas, with the same areas being photographed at least every five years. Bill L. said that the Amtrak station would be redone in the near future and photos needed to be gotten of that. He commented that it was very hard to get historical pictures of sites and situations -- most pictures taken were of family -type events -- not of a street corner somewhere. Joan asked if the photos taken needed to be black and white, and Bill L. said it didn't matter. Dennis stated that it was possible that A &M students could be taking pictures for a particular class, and if so, the HPC could get copies. b. Joan said that the Oral History Committee was also an ongoing one and that anyone interested could work on that committee. c. An Historical Tourism Subcommittee that could redo the historic house brochure, and develop a historical walking and bicycle tour. Historic Preservation Committee Page 7 d. Dennis asked if historical landscaping of hiking trails and bikeways would be a goal for the HPC. David said there was already a bikeway plan but he hadn't seen it. Joan stated that perhaps the HPC would be allowed to designate a portion of a bikeway that was in an historical section with landscaping. Bill F. said there was a bikeway master plan with the routes laid out, but he couldn't recall if any routes went through the southside area. He stated that most of the city was covered in that plan, with the section on Walton Drive already underway. e. A State Marker Research Committee that could be researching possibilities for state historic markers on subjects that were at least 75 years old. f. Bill F. asked about the possibility of local students studying local history as a unit of Texas History. Bill L. said that the Brazos Historical Society was already working on that. They were putting together a contest among teachers with a $500 prize to be awarded to the teacher who could develop a curriculum for that. Joan asked Bill L. to keep the HPC up -to- date on that project. She commented that at some point in the future the HPC might need to develop a subcommittee to help with that. Joan told the members that any of the ideas discussed could be used as goals and that members could sign up for any subcommittee they were interested in. 8. ADJOURN: The Committee adjourned at 6:50 p.m. HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE -- SUBCOMMITTEES Chairpersons have accepted these positions. Members of the City H P Committee may volunteer for any subcommittee and may be on more than one subcommittee. for special projects, other volunteers may be accepted, i.e. Oral History Sub Committee uses many volunteers from both Bryan and College Station and works closely with College Station Conference Center. SUBCOMMITTEES AND CHAIRPERSONS HISTORICAL TOURISM -- Mary Jane Hirsch 693 -8383 *GOAL: To promote tourism in the city using historical sites, buildings, and /or subjects. ORAL HISTORY -- Joan Lamkin 693 -3444 -Bill Lancaster 696 -5286 *GOAL: To collect historical material from citizens, and to store and to share it for the future. RESEARCH -- Gary Halter (H) 696 -5512 (W) 845 -2152 *GOAL: To determine sites and /or subjects which might qualify for State and /or City markers and to assist in preparing applications. PHOTO DOCUMENT -- Sharon Menn (H) 696 -4512 (W) 776 -2404 *GOAL: To establish an organized collection of photo documents. EDUCATION -- Debbie Jasek (H) 693 -0343 (W) 845 -5239 *GOAL: To identify and develop a list of College Station resources available for school /civic organizations. *Wording of sub committee goals is an example and may be rewritten to better fit the philosophy of the sub committee. September 4, 1995 Superintendent College Station Independent School District 1812 Welsh Avenue College Station, Texas 17840 Sir, After seven years of service to our greater metropolitan area, AMTRAK has announced its deletion of train 521/522 as of 10 september,1995. As you may know, the AMTRAK station is located on private property .leased to the city of College Station. AMTRAK installed the cement platform and connecting walkway while the city Parks and Recreation Department erected the single sided pavilion. Then some A &M Consolidated High School students, as part of an art class, came up with a class project to create a 48 foot mural on the side of the pavilion facing George Bush Avenue. Jami Bevans was the teacher, Steve Starkey provided the concept and Lance Kubena the design. The students were organized into seven teams: background, logo, train station, people, train, globe /earth and priming/set up. A small plaque at the station lists the teams and students and indicates the work waa completed on May 25, 1990. Many thousands of people from all over the United States and from many foreign countries have viewed this unique work of art. however, with the loss of AMTRAK service, the city of College Station will let its lease expire. It is assumed that the pavilion will then be taken down. Since the neural belongs to the College Station Independent School District, you may want to take some action to preserve the panels and the contribution of these students. If you have no interest in this student contribution, I would like to suggest that you contact Dr. Gary Halter of the College Station Historic Preservation Committee. Since the artwork depicts a mix of early and recent history, it should be considered for retention. Sincerely, Harold B. Owens Local Volunteer for AMTRAK 3207 Wilderness Road Bryan, Texas 77807 -3222 409 -775 -4883 cc: David Uerling Parks and Recreation PHOTO DOCUMENTS 1972 SLIDES 1995 Highway 6 Welcome Sign Highway 6 South city limit sign North Gate looking NE South Side looking SW City Hall, utility payment drive— through Police /Fire Texas Ave and Gilchrist Fire Police Bookmobile (no library) Library TAMU Systems Bldg -East Entrance Admin. Redmond Terrace Post Office CS PO Shady residential street (Probably Walton) Residential home, probably Billie Leighton, Walton Dr. TAMU President's Home Family transportation -car, boat, bike College Station middle school Conf.Cen St. Mary's Church, looking NE Boy Scout Clean Up Brison Park Airport control tower Easterwood Airport Terminal it4< tzie_ lef. Fourth of July -Old Tiger Field Cultural Fair - -(A) Ethnic Groups (Manor East Mall) African Americans Polish Swedish Mexican Middle East Brazilia s, ;c „, (B) Social= cjtivities -- Square Dancing League of Women Voters High School Spanish Class Mariachi Band 1995 PHOTO SUGGESTIONS Amtrak Station Old A & M Cemetery (Pugh and Luther) A & M Consol High School before remodeling Wellborn Rd George Bush Library Site Texas Ave. before widening North Gate before renovation Sebesta Road and Sandstone - before new park Around HWY 6 By Pass near Bug Blasters before more growth All Schools All city , federal, state (if any) offices Scott and White Clinic East Side Any Gate way areas TEXAS George \V. Bus II • Governor f Chairman Curtis ' 'd John L. Nau, III • Chairman �1f H ISTORICAL kW fA C iirlis Tunnel! • E.recufivr Director �- C O M MI S S I O N The State Agency for Historic Preservation June 30, 1995 Charles Schultz, Chair Brazos CHC 1200 Goode Street College Station, TX 77840 RE: BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY 27" x 42" marker w/ post Job #: 13994; Shipment to: Stephen C. Beachy, 1000 Krenek Tap Road, College Station, 77840, 409/764 -3773 Dear Mr. Schultz: We have ordered the above - referenced marker for casting. The completed marker should be ready for shipment within 12 weeks. A copy of the final inscription as it was sent to the foundry is enclosed for your files. According to our records, the marker should be shipped to the address above. If these instructions have changed during the marker process, please let me know as soon as possible so that I may notify the foundry. If you have not already done so, this would be a good time to begin planning the marker dedication ceremony. However, please avoid setting the dedication date until the marker is received. The estimated shipping date above does not take into account potential shipping problems or other unforseen delays, and the best laid dedication plans could be upset if planned around this time estimate. We will notify you and all parties listed below once the marker has been shipped from the foundry. A guide to planning a dedication ceremony is available from our office upon request. Since this is a state program, we suggest that your state senator and/or representative be included in the program, as well as your county judge and commissioners who have appointed your county historical commission. Enclosed is a form for announcing the dedication in the THC's bi- monthly newsletter, The Medallion; in the marker dedication calendar, which is distributed to agency commissioners and staff; and in the monthly News for County Historical Commissions, once details have been finalized. Again, please let me know if there has been a change in the shipping address, or if you would like a marker dedication guide. Sincerely, .Z l tiyc_ . Eginae - Office Manager Local History Programs - pc: Stephen C. Beachy P.O. Box 12276 • Austin, TX 78711 -2276 • 512/463 -6100 • Fax 512/475 -4872 • TD1) 1- 800 -735 -2989 Texas Historical Commission Staff (RMO), 5/26/95 27" x 42" Official Texas Historical Marker with post Brazos County (Job #13994) Location: 400 Block College Avenue, Bryan BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY* BRYAN MAYOR J.T.MALONEY AND THE CITY'S RETAIL MER- CHANTS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED THE BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY COMPANY IN 1909,THE COMPANY WAS CREATED TO ESTABLISH AN INTERURBAN RAILWAY SERVICE BETWEEN BRYAN,A TOWN OF ABOUT 4,000 PEOPLE,AND THE TEXAS AGRICULTURAL & MECHANICAL COLLEGE(TEXAS A &M), WITH A STUDENT AND FACULTY POPULATION OF ABOUT 750 DAILY SERVICE CONSISTING OF TEN 30- MINUTE TRIPS BEGAN IN 1910 WITH PASSENGER TROLLEYS'AND GASOLINE - POWERED RAIL CARS THE ROUTE LANDOWNERS BUILT RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS AND SMALL FARMS,AND TO PRO- VIDE AN ATTRACTION THE CITY CREATED DELLWOOD PARK FREIGHT SERVICE BEGAN IN 1918 TO HELP BOLSTER AN OPERATION BESET WITH LABOR PROBLEMS AND THE LOSS OF PASSENGERS TO AUTOMOBILE RIDERSHIP.IN 1922 THE BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY WENT INTO RECEIVERSHIP AND IN 1923 ITS ASSETS WERE SOLD AT AUCTION TO THE S.S.HUNTER ESTATE LAST RECORDED TRIP OF THE INTER- URBAN TOOK PLACE ON APRIL 13,1923. DURING ITS 15 YEARS OF OPERATION THE INTERURBAN RAILWAY GREATLY INFLUENCED THE COURSE OF BRYAN'S AND COLLEGE STATION'S URBAN DEVELOPMENT,TODAY THE TWO CITIES MERGE INDISTINGUISHABLY AT A POINT ON THE FORMER BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY ROUTE ** SESQUICENTENNIAL OF TEXAS STATEHOOD 1845- 1995 * ** • *3/4 inch lettering * *1/2 inch lettering * * *1/4 inch lettering ._O TEXAS N r 'Ain 1. d,', Ill ,n., Chairrr r � j ► i0 ' 1 - 1 1S rI' O RICA L l uric: uuncli /, Director / C O M M I S S I O N The State Agenc for Historic Preservation June 5, 1995 Charles Schultz, Chair Brazos CHC 1200 Goode St. College Station, TX 77840 RE: BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY 27" x 42" subject marker with post Job #13994 Dear Charles: Enclosed is the proposed inscription for the above - referenced marker. (Please note that this is a working copy, including filing and foundry instructions. The right -hand margin, which is uneven in this copy, will be justified on the finished marker.) Please review and verify the information contained in the inscription. In particular, be sure to check all names and dates, and make certain we have noted the correct marker location. Please contact other sponsors of this application to discuss the wording of this marker. If you approve the inscription, sign where indicated and return it to me. You also may want to make a copy of the inscription for your files. If you have corrections to make or changes to suggest, please do so on the enclosed copy of the inscription and return it to me with the marked corrections. To ensure that I catch all your suggested changes, I ask that you not type a new version of the inscription. The revised wording will need to net style and spacing requirements; suggestions for new information not documented in your narrative history must be sent with appropriate reference notes. The marker will not be ordered for casting until the county historical commission and other persons or groups listed below have approved the inscription. Again, to avoid any unnecessary delays, please consult with all parties to decide that all are in accord before returning your approval or submitting any suggested changes. Enclosed for your information is a form for ordering other marker- related items. Any order you may wish to place with this form may be made at this time or whenever in the future. Sincerely, • 4,,,,) IL A la . d -e01,, _ Ruben Moreland - Ochoa, Historian . Official Texas Historical Markers Local History Programs c: Stephen C. Beachy I>. 0. i3,,.. 12276 • Austin, TX 78711-2276 • 512/4(3- 0100 - I x/475--1-$7? • TI)I) 1 -800- 735 -2989 Texas Historical Commission Staff (RHO), 5/26/95 27" x 42" Official Texas Historical Marker with post Brazos County (Job 113994) Location: 400 Block College Avenue, Bryan BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY* BRYAN MAYOR J.T.MALONEY AND THE CITY'S RETAIL MER- CHANTS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED THE BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY COMPANY IN 1909„THE COMPANY WAS CREATED TO ESTABLISH AN INTERURBAN RAILWAY SERVICE BETWEEN BRYAN,A TOWN OF ABOUT 4,000 PEOPLE,AND THE TEXAS AGRICULTURAL & MECHANICAL COLLEGE(TEXAS A &M), WITH A STUDENT AND FACULTY POPULATION OF ABOUT 750, DAILY SERVICE CONSISTING OF TEN 30- MINUTE TRIPS BEGAN IN 1910 WITH PASSENGER TROLLEYS AND GASOLINE - POWERED RAIL CARS.ALONG THE ROUTE LANDOWNERS BUILT RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS AND SMALL FARMS,AND TO PRO- VIDE AN ATTRACTION THE CITY CREATED DELLWOOD PARK. FREIGHT SERVICE BEGAN IN 1918 TO HELP BOLSTER AN OPERATION BESET WITH LABOR PROBLEMS AND THE LOSS OF PASSENGERS TO AUTOMOBILE RIDERSHIP 1922 THE BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY WENT INTO RECEIVERSHIP AND IN 1923 ITS ASSETS WERE SOLD AT AUCTION TO THE S.S.HUNTER ESTATE.THE LAST RECORDED TRIP OF THE INTER- URBAN TOOK PLACE ON APRIL 13,1923. DURING ITS 15 YEARS OF OPERATION THE INTERURBAN RAILWAY GREATLY INFLUENCED THE COURSE OF BRYAN'S AND COLLEGE STATION'S URBAN DEVELOPMENT,TODAY THE TWO CITIES MERGE INDISTINGUISHABLY AT A POINT ON THE FORMER BRYAN & COLLEGE INTERURBAN RAILWAY ROUTE. ** SESQUICENTENNIAL OF TEXAS STATEHOOD 1845 - 1995 * ** *3/4 inch lettering * *1/2 inch lettering PLEASE CHECK ONE AND SIGN: * * *1/4 inch lettering ❑ i approve this text as written. ❑ Please consider the revisions as noted on this copy. (signature) HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Joan Lamkin, Chairman (5 -96) 1703 Glade Deborah O'Briant (5 -96) College Station, TX 77840 2403 -B Bosque (H)693 -3444 (W)764 -5565 College Station, TX 77845 (H)764 -7485 (W)764 -5250 William B. Lancaster, Co- Chairman (5 -97) Steven Smith (5 -96) 303 Dexter 505 Bolton College Station, TX 77840 College Station, TX 77840 (H) 696 -5286 (H)696 -1803 (W)845 -1951 Gary Halter (5 -96) Dennis Maloney (5 -97) 1204 Ashburn 803 Welsh Avenue College Station, TX 77840 College Station, TX 77840 (H) 696 -5512 (W) 845 -2152 (H)696 -6594 Sharon Menn (5 -96) Mary Jane Hirsch (5 -97) 200 Grove 1210 Glade College Station, TX 77840 College Station, TX 77840 (H)696 -4512 (W)776 -2404 (H)693 -8383 Bill Fox, Council Liaison Deborah Jasek (5 -97) 1700 Frost 1007 Winding Road College Station, TX 77845 College Station, TX 77840 (H)696 -5863 (W)873 -2013 (H)693 -0343 (W)845 -5239 • APPLICATION FOR COT T RGE STATION HISTORIC MARKER Check one: XHouse Building Owners Name SHARON COVEY MENN Address 200 GROVE Phone 696;4512 Address of Historic Structure: 200 Grove Street Former campus house yes no Describe historical, architectural, or other significance: See attached sheets Please attach photograph and return to: College Station Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 9960 College Station, TX 77842 Attn: David Gerling 44 A.-er - Y\-- 177-)7 Signature ate LOCATION: 200 Grove Street, West Park Addition, College Station, Texas Developed by Hershel Burgess, son -in -law of Dr. T. 0. Walton, president of Texas A & M College The house has historical significance as it was one of the first houses built in West Park and was under construction when pur- chase by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Covey in June 1941. It is unique in that is has been occupied by the Covey family since 1941. Harry Guiberson of Houston was the architect for a local builder, Hershel Burgess. The architecture was typical of FHA houses of that time. The two bedroom home with detached garage was ideal for the couple. A third bedroom and bath were added later on. In recent years, central heat and air were installed. A distinctive feature is the oak floors in perfect condition, fifty four years later. Tom Covey, a sales representative of Southwestern Drug Company, Waco, had been transferred to the Bryan College Station area. In College Station, he met Edward Madeley, who had opened Madeley Pharmacy on Jersey Street in May 1940 and owned a home on Grove Street. Subsequently, the Coveys met Lova Edwards, Mrs. Madeley's mother who lived with them. She persuaded them to buy the house under construction at 200 Grove St. This was the beginning of a friend- ship that endured throughout their lifetimes. While the houses in West Park were modest, the residents reflected an upscale neighborhood. Art Adamson, the swimming coach at A & M, lived on Grove Street as did Dr. D. W. Andres and the Edward Madeleys. On adjoining Highland Street, lived Col. Richard Dunn, band director at A & M, Dr. John Ashton, poet - English Dept. A & M, and Dr. Dan Russell, founder of the Project Houses. In 1950, the house was enlarged to leet the needs of a family of four. The two Covey daughters, Sondra and Sharon, both of whom were born at the old St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, came home to 200 Grove and grew up there. They graduated from A & M Consolidated High School where Sondra was a charter member of the Bengal Belles and later Sharon ,,,,as a cheer leader. Both girls were married in the A & M United Methodist Church. (2) The family was active in school and community affairs. Tom Covey was a charter member of the Sul. Ross Lodge #1300 located on Jersey Street, now George Bush Drive. On her birthday, December 19, 1976, Mrs. Covey died in a head -on crash. At the time of her death, she was the manager of the Book Store at TAMU. Mr. Covey lived at 200 Grove until his death. The present owner, Sharon Covey Menn, received the property as part of a legacy from her father. She resides there with her husband, Ronny Menn, and three sons; Lance, Cullen and Parker, who represent the third generation living in the house at 200 Grove. l s - 1: ' P 747. 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